Jamar Vailes
Father of four, two girls and two boys. Guardian to a 13 year old girl who was at risk of going into the system.
Jamar Vailes is a member of the Family Advisory Board (FAB) at United for Brownsville and a Supervisor in the custodial and maintenance department at the Brooklyn Public Library. His role as a FAB member consists of being a voice and advocating for children and families in Brownsville. Along with other FAB members, Vailes sets goals of improving the early childhood system focusing on social-emotional skills, building language and realigning services so that all kids can have equitable success. He has also worked with the East New York Development Corporation funded by the Department of Youth & Community Development as a Teachers Aide, where they served at-risk neighborhoods in order to mentor and cultivate school-age students ranging from 5 to 18 years old. Vailes has participated in a number of programs, including structured HomeWork assistance, Cultural Enrichment, and Guidance for those seeking higher education opportunities. Vailes serves as a Garden Liaison for the Green Thumb “Crystal Wells Community Garden,” where he teaches community members and students how to garden, thus providing them with the tools to create green spaces that improve air quality and accessible community meeting areas. Vailes’ goal is to become a full-time community advocate and start or become part of a non-profit in Brooklyn, New York. Earlier in his career, Vailes thought about becoming a law enforcement officer, but soon realized that was not the work he wanted to pursue. He graduated from Berkeley College with a B.A. in Criminal Justice.